Yes, just click Subscribe. Then when you open up the Skyrim launcher, they'll download! Once you've downloaded them, you might want to unsubscribe if you don't want to get automatic updates for whatever reason. It'll still keep your current version in your folder and you can still use that. This way you have a bit more control over updates (when you want to apply an update, just resubscribe temporarily and run the Skyrim launcher again).

No direct download option is a real bummer, the fact that workshop is there is awesome but it's also acting as an app-store like gateway, I'd prefer if it also offered the option to link to actual mod nexus/moddb-like sites and the developer's own websites with a disclaimer that is non-Steam which offer greater download limits and the ability to download the mods as and when you want with the option to install it later instead of gating this.

No direct download option is a real bummer, the fact that workshop is there is awesome but it's also acting as an app-store like gateway, I'd prefer if it also offered the option to link to actual mod nexus/moddb-like sites and the developer's own websites with a disclaimer that is non-Steam which offer greater download limits and the ability to download the mods as and when you want with the option to install it later instead of gating this.

I don't understand this comment.
These downloads are not retail games from developers with official web sites. They are game mods made by gamers (they don't have web sites). Workshop gives them a place to share their work.
When you subscribe, the mod installs the next time you run that game and it will automatically update if the author updates it. What's wrong with that?

I don't understand this comment.
These downloads are not retail games from developers with official web sites. They are game mods made by gamers (they don't have web sites). Workshop gives them a place to share their work.
When you subscribe, the mod installs the next time you run that game and it will automatically update if the author updates it. What's wrong with that?

As far as I've seen there is no download manager for mods, for people with a fast internet connection it's no big deal, but quite a few people have had issues with using the workshop because subscribed mods aren't showing up in-game (I was checking around for a way to direct download steam workshop mods - there isn't any that I could find - and came across those threads). For those with a slower connection it is a lot more reliable and convenient to have the ability to queue downloads from a direct download server and have them all ready to install overnight. The real issue with Steam workshop though is how it could lead to splitting the modding community, while sites like Nexus have said that Steam Workshop users get introduced to mods via workshop then sort of graduate to Nexus and other mod sites to get more advanced 100MB+ (Steam mod upload limit) mods such as those for graphics overhauls etc, the issue remains that should a mod author not upload their mod to any place other than Steam Workshop it becomes unavailable to anyone who does not own a Steam version of the game, there are tonnes of people modding games available outside of Steam and which are sold DRM-free for example. This is how Steam is acting as a gated modding community and can easily encourage the majority of Source engine mods - for which there already is a healthy modding community which inspired this whole workshop to begin with - to move to workshop, out of sheer convenience, something I don't consider very healthy and is the app-store like closed model I was referring to. I love having easy access to mod installations and the system introducing mods to users who would normally be too scared to try but I want the assurance those mods are accessible to all players of a game, not just the Steam ones, a simple direct download link (such as on every single modding site out there) would go a long way to achieve that as well as providing a means for people with slower internet connections to get their fix without having to wait without UI feedback.

I have not had a single time where a mod from Workshop did not download or install. As far as the size limit of mods, that's not a problem either. That's what "Collections" are used for.
The problem with all of the sites out there offering game mods is there are newer and older versions all mixed together. Some sites are updated, others are not. The idea is Workshop will be the "Official" place for mods and they will be automatically updated to your system when new versions are offered if you subscribe to them.
For example, there is a site for L4D2 mods (L4Dmaps.com) that allows users to post mods. It is full of people posting other peoples mods. Many of which are not the newest version. Most don't mention they are not the author. It is my hope that Workshop will clean up this mess.

I have not had a single time where a mod from Workshop did dot download or install.

Well, some of us do. On L4D2, after I've subscribed to it, Steam always keeps on trying to re-download the "Diescraper Redux" campaign and it never manages to complete it every single time. Mods will smaller file sizes do work fine for me though, like the Improved Bots.

I've put in a support ticket for the issue, but have not received any response from Steam support - 10 days and counting.

Well, some of us do. On L4D2, after I've subscribed to it, Steam always keeps on trying to re-download the "Diescraper Redux" campaign and it never manages to complete it every single time. Mods will smaller file sizes do work fine for me though, like the Improved Bots.

I've put in a support ticket for the issue, but have not received any response from Steam support - 10 days and counting.

Last night I downloaded a very large campaign update from L4D2 Workshop. It took a verrrrry long time and seemed to stop several times. I just left the computer and came back an hour later and it completed the download. I wonder if you are not waiting long enough. Maybe the problem is the speed.